Devices and methods for preventing distal embolization using flow reversal in arteries having collateral blood flow

Abstract

The invention provides a medical device having a catheter and one or more expandable constricting/occluding members. The catheter is adapted for use with therapeutic or diagnostic devices, including an angioplasty/stent catheter and an atherectomy catheter. The constrictor/occluder is mounted at the distal end of the catheter. Manometers may be mounted distal to one or more constrictors for measuring pressure distal to the constrictor(s). Methods of using the devices are disclosed for preventing distal embolization during extracranial or intracranial carotid artery, vertebral artery, or coronary artery procedures, or procedures involving any vessel having collateral flow by reversing flow in the diseased vessel.

1. A method for blood flow reversal in a coronary artery having a proximal segment that branches into first and second distal segments, the first distal segment having a lesion and a source of collateral flow, the method comprising the steps of:
 inserting the distal end of an occlusion catheter into the proximal segment, the occlusion catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and an expandable device on a distal region of the catheter; 
 locating the expandable device within the proximal segment; and 
 expanding the expandable device to at least partially obstruct the proximal segment, 
 wherein blood flow in the first distal segment is reversed to pass over the lesion and into the second distal segment without the occlusion catheter crossing the lesion. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal segment is a left main coronary artery, the first distal segment is a left anterior descending artery, and the second distal segment is a left circumflex artery. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the occlusion catheter is inserted into the proximal segment through an incision made in a femoral artery. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the occlusion catheter is inserted into the proximal segment through an incision made in the left subclavian artery or left brachial artery. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the occlusion catheter is inserted into the proximal segment through an incision made in the right subclavian artery. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of inserting a second expandable device in the second distal segment and expanding the second expandable device to at least partially obstruct the second distal segment. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of inserting a filter in the second distal segment to capture debris in the second distal segment. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of injecting an angiographic dye to confirm flow reversal. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of treating the lesion with an interventional catheter. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9 , wherein the interventional catheter is an angioplasty catheter. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 9 , wherein the interventional catheter is an atherectomy catheter. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 9 , wherein the interventional catheter is a stent deployment catheter. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of treating the lesion by thromboendarterectomy. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of treating the lesion by bypass graft using woven prosthetic tube. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of treating the lesion by bypass graft using an autogenous vein anastomosed end-to-side to the vessel above and below the obstruction. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of treating the lesion by resection with graft replacement. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the catheter further comprises a pressure measuring mechanism. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 17 , wherein the pressure measuring mechanism is a manometer. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 17 , wherein the pressure measuring mechanism is a pressure lumen that communicates with an external manometer.